A recent assertion that calculators negate the need for a thorough maths education has been met with robust criticism from educators and professionals, who argue that such a view fundamentally misunderstands the subject's purpose.
More Than Just Numbers on a Page
The controversy stems from comments made by Simon Jenkins, who claimed that with calculators, all the maths 99% of school leavers need could be taught in a single day. This perspective was directly challenged in letters published on November 7th.
Kayleigh Ward from Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, expressed her bafflement at this position. She emphasised that mathematics is not merely about memorising facts and formulas. Instead, it is a discipline that equips children with essential life skills.
The Unseen Curriculum of Maths
Ward detailed that a proper maths education teaches young people how to solve complex problems, identify patterns, and think with logical precision. It also empowers them to interpret data critically and recognise when they are being misled by statistics or flawed arguments.
Furthermore, she highlighted the character-building aspect of the subject. Maths teaches resilience and the confidence to keep trying when a first attempt at a solution fails. These are universally valuable attributes that cannot be replicated by simply pressing buttons on a calculator.
While Ward acknowledged there are problems within the education system, including how maths is sometimes taught, she concluded that dismissing maths as useless for most people only demonstrates a lack of understanding of what the subject actually involves.
A Question of Definition and Purpose
Adding his voice from Tabernas, Spain, Richard Monteith tackled Jenkins' claim from a different angle. He defined mathematics as the scientific study of numbers, shapes, patterns, and the relationships between them.
Monteith described it as a system of logic and abstract reasoning necessary for understanding the structures, space, and change inherent in our world. He then posed a simple, powerful question: how can a deep, conceptual way of thinking about the world be mastered in one day with a calculator?
This defence of maths education underscores its role not as a vocational training in arithmetic, but as a foundational pillar for developing capable, critical, and resilient thinkers.
